Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-02-03


Bell Bronson was lively little bru-
nettc OF seventeen Her form. rounded
and graceful. would have disturbed the
heart of an anchortc; her large dark
eyes, full of sparkle when she was mer-
~, and softening when her features
were in repose, wero just such eyes as
most men like to meet. Parted in front,
her rich black hair fell in wayy masses
down her matchless shoulders, forming
a pleasing contrast with the white,
rounded neck and the rich complexion.
In addition to such attractions were
those of the voice and laugh. The
former WINS Music itself; the latter was
like the ripping twittering melody of
many drops from fountain falling into
hollow basin.
To look at her, one would have
thought hers nature which could new
er grieve; but such was not the case.
On the contrary. in spite of her lively
manner. Bell Bronson possessed heart
full of sympathy. and often wept when
alone over the sufferings of others.
In a more substantial manner than
by tears she would endeavor to soothe
the afflicted. Her purse, though never
oyerstocked, was often open 10 help the
poor.
1t was in tho time when people were
arrested for debt. Her own father had,
when she was child. died in prison
because he could not pay off his credi-
tors.
Since then. by giving music-lcssons,
and by other means, her mother had
contrivcd to maintain herself and
daughter until the latter was old enough
to assist her. when they succeeded in
laying by small sum for a rainy
day"
At seventeen Bell was engaged to
promising lawyer named Henry Rich
ards, noble young man, who never
practised his profession except in the
right cause.
The lovers resided near each other.
Richard oc upying small cottage OPP
| posite the home of his betrothed. whose
| bright face ut the window often cheered
him in tho midst OF his day-studies, and
perhaps drew him little too much
| away from them.
| l. was indeed sweet recreation to the
young lawyer to look up. now and then,
10 see ihe bright eyes Of tho young wo-
| man he lovcd pecrng laughingly at
! him through the window-panes.
One day Bell observed Il slender
! young man .,;,;or The lawyers cottage.
| After that she noticed that her lover,
even when in her company, seemed
thoughtful and distracted.
| She asked him what made him so,
when he answered that friend of his
Tom Brace-a rather wild young man,
had run himself into debt. and was
liable any moment TO be arrested.
She learned that the slender youth
she had seen enter his cottage was the
person he alluded to.
Finally the brow of Richards cleared,
and Bell was as merry as bird over
the change She forbore questioning
him, but she doubted not that he had
found some way to help his friend.
A week passed; the day fixed for the
union of the young couple was fast APP
preaching.
"Bcll, said Richards to the girl one
evening. Il believe our wcddng-day
was to have been on tho fourteenth of
the present month. was it not. dear?'
A blush and pressure of the hand
was the sweet response.
Excuse me. but if you are willing
wc will put it off-well, say two weeks
later"
Bell turned aside her head and slight
ly pouted; but female modesty prevented
her showing disapproval.
Curiosity. however, made her play
fully enquire his reason for this change.
You will pardon me" he answered,
''Dut not even TO you, dearest, must 1
explain my reason"
Another pout, but he kissed it away.
"You shall know eventually" he said
before departing.
A few days later. at about three
o'clock. Bell was at the window. when
she saw a female enter Richards's cot
tagc.
She did not see the visitors face, but
she did not fail to notice that her hair
was beautiful, of n light chestnut, and
falling in thick masses down her shout
ders.
An hour passed. and sill she did not
see the lady leave the house.
A not flush mounted on the watchers
cheek, and she tapped the foor restless
ly with her high-heeled slippers
Suddenly she bchel! Il sight which
made her feel sick and faint
Richards was now near the window,
30 that she could see plainly the sight
which so shocked her. In word. the
lady yisito9 had advanced TO the law
yer's side and but both arms round his
neck.
The young lawyers old housekeeper.
nth in Is ~ hx,
same time.
There she stood near the other win
dow, looking on with an air of the ut
most indiifereace.
Instinctivcly Bell dropped the curtain
of her window. and burying her face in
her hands wept like chilli.
He had wanted to put off their we'd
ding-day. Alas. what pcrfidy! He had
seen another young lady, whom he
doubtless loved better than Bell. and
that was WIN he had not been willing
to explain the reason when she had ask
ed him.
How could she doubt it? Had she
not seen the visitor embrace her lover?
Surely her eyes could not have deceived
her.
To make assurance douby sure, how
ever, she would look again. She did
so. and there sat the lady-visiior, still
with an arm round Richards neck, and
that brazcn housekeeper looking on.
Bell was now popping through the
CERTAIN. so that Richards, who. now
and then, looked nneasily towards her
window, could not see her.
No wonder he felt uneasy How much
more so would he feel did he know she
was watching him.
But poor Bell had now seen enough.
She drew back. and throwing herself
upon lounge, sobbc,i rs If her heart
would break. feeling that her peace in
this world was wrecked for ever.
Finally she wiped her ewes. removed
the traces of tears, and composed her
face, that her mother, who WAS absent.
might not detect her agitation when
she should return.
"Mamma,n she said. when Mt length,
Mrs. Bronson having returned. she
wheeled her chair 70 her daughters
side. please give this note to Henry il
he calls this evening.
And she put a note in her mothers
hand. exertinc herself to MAINTAIN a